At the beginning of Parshat Vayairah the Torah relates that three Heavenly angels disguised as simple guests came to Avraham Avinu. Avraham was a master at Hachnosas Orchim (hospitality), and he immediately brought them in and started to quickly prepare for them a meal to eat.
The Torah says that Avraham chose a calf and gave it to the young man to prepare it. Rashi says that this young man was Yishmael, and that Avraham did this because he wanted to train Yishmael in Mitzva observance.
I ask, which Mitzvah? The first thought is Hachnosas Orchim. But if so, then I have a few questions:
1) Avraham was an expert in hospitality, that was a main activity of his. That is why G-d “brought the sun out of its covering” in order to be sweltering, in order not to bother Avraham with guests. If so, Yishmael probably saw the Mitzva of Hachnosas Orchim hundreds of times. What was special about this time?
2) Why does Rashi say “lechancho bemitzvos”, in the plural?
3) Where was Yishmael during this time? Playing ball? Sitting in the Bais Madrash?
I propose to understand that Yishmael was lying in bed screaming to his father, “Tati, Tati, it hurts so much, don’t you have anything to give me? Acamol, vodka, it’s so painful!”
Because for Yishmael also it was shlishi lemila, the third day after the mila. Yishmael was also circumcised on the same day that Avraham circumcised himself.
Rather, Avraham wanted to teach Yishmael a very important lesson in Mitzva observance: That even though it hurts, even though it’s difficult, if Hashem brings you a Mitzva you have to do it in the same that you would do it otherwise.
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